Struggling Mercer has breakout game in 10-3 win over Padres

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Here comes the Bucs? The Pittsburgh Pirates managed 16 hits in a 10-3 rout of the San Diego Padres (26-32) on Monday night, moving three games within .500. The breakout player of the game was shortstop Jordy Mercer (.219 – 2 HR – 9 RBI) who has been in serious jeopardy of losing his starting job.

Mercer homered and matched a career high with four hits in the win. Mercer went 4-5 with HR, 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored as he scored four times from the No. 8 hole in the lineup. Mercer raised his batting average from .199 to .219 with the big night.

At age 27, patience is starting to wear thin with Mercer, whose struggles at the plate become an even bigger problem because he is below average defensively. With Gregory Polanco set to be called up at somepoint during the next home stand, talk has emerged of Josh Harrison getting look at shortstop. Pressure will be building on Mercer in the coming weeks.

Neil Walker (.279 – 10 HR – 32 RBI) added three hits and three RBIs, while Josh Harrison (.304 – 4 HR – 12 RBI) also had three hits for the Pirates who have won 4 of 5 games and 9 of 13.

Charlie Morton (2-7) earned his second win of the season and tied a career best with nine strikeouts in five innings. Morton allowed three hits and two runs for his first road win of the season.